“Psycho” Update; Lurie in the Director’s Chair; UCLA Script Winners

"Psycho" Update; Lurie in the Director's Chair; UCLA Script Winners

>> The drama surrounding the Lions Gate film “American Psycho” continueswith Variety reporting that Oliver Stone is in talks to sitein the projects’ directors chair. Despite recent reports indicating that Leonardo DiCaprio may no longer be involved with the film, the actor has reportedly met with Stone about the film. DiCaprio became affiliated with the film following anannouncement by Lions Gate made at the Cannes Film Festival. With the announcement, Lions Gate indicated that it was looking for a new director for the film — Mary Harron had been on board to lead the project.

>> Film critic Rod Lurie is set to direct his first feature, “Deterrence,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. The publicaton reported that the movie will star Kevin Pollack and Sheryl Lee Ralph, among others.

>> UCLA Extension has named the winners of the 1998 Diane Thomas Screenwriting Awards, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The top prize went to Carol Barbee for her script, “Madonnas of the Field“, while the second prize went to Anne Winter for “Sometime Later,” and the third prize was awarded to Vincent Ware for “Keep It Real“.